The NFL’s chief medical officer says Tua Tagovailoa “didn’t show anything that would have triggered the concussion protocol” during the Packers game as the quarterback’s season is in limbo after the third concussion scare
- Tua Tagovailoa is on concussion minutes after Miami’s loss to the Packers
- But the NFL’s chief medical officer has defended peer decision-making
- Tagovailoa suffered a blow to the head late in the first half on Sunday
- And he stayed in the game when the Dolphins lost 26-20 at home
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Though Tua Tagovailoa entered concussion protocol Monday, the NFL’s chief medical officer said there was “no visible evidence” of a possible concussion against the Packers.
Tagovailoa suffered a blow to the head while being tackled late in the first half but continued playing as Miami lost 26-20.
A day later, Tagovailoa reported symptoms of a possible concussion, although Dr. Allen Sills defended the NFL doctors’ decision-making at Christmas.
Tagovailoa suffered a concussion at the end of the second quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Packers as he is now deemed ineligible to play in a playoff clinch game against the Patriots
“What our spotters and our independent neurosurgeons are looking for is any hit that transmits force to the head or neck followed by that injury behavior,” he said in an upcoming NFL Total Access interview.
“And so there are a lot of hits to the head during a game. We’re always looking for the shot and injury behavior and if we see injury behavior then of course a call is made to rate that player.
“There were no visible signs, although there was a blow to the head and the player reported no symptoms despite being in contact with medical staff throughout the game. So there was nothing triggering the protocol at the moment.’
Tua Tagovailoa has now suffered three concussions this season with the Dolphins
Saw that live. And I included it because I knew it the moment I saw it. This happened late in the 1st half. And I think Tua played the 2nd half with a concussion. His head bounced off the ground. And it was very similar to the hit in Cincinnati. 3 INTs in Q4. proved it to me. pic.twitter.com/Djl0xkGToX
— Michael Williams (@SelfMade0602) December 25, 2022
Tagovailoa’s concussion history earlier this season has raised concerns about his recent scare.
In Week 4, he went into the fencing position after a scary hit from Bengal’s defensive tackle Josh Tupou and was rushed to the hospital before missing the next two games.
He underwent an MRI scan to check for damage and wore a neck brace as a precaution.
And just four days before the game against the Bills, Tagovailoa returned to the game after initially suffering a head injury, although the Dolphins later described it as a back injury.
Despite the definitive diagnosis, he was seen stumbling across the field and was helped into a medical tent and then into the dressing room to be checked for a concussion.
Tagovailoa’s first concussion scare came in the second quarter against the Bills in September
An independent neurological expert has been fired by the NFL Players Association after saying the quarterback is ready to return to the game.
While Miami has lost four straight games and needs a Week 17 win at the Patriots (and a Jets loss to Seattle) to secure a playoff berth, backup Teddy Bridgewater is currently lined up to play this weekend start.
“I just want the guys to be really right with the information that we have, the science and all the medical expertise that we’re relying on,” coach Mike McDaniel said Monday.
“I care a lot about each and every player. I take this seriously so I just want him to get well and have peace of mind in that regard. That is first and foremost, and whatever the circumstances are after that, you deal with that afterwards. It’s about the person and that they’re okay.”